Friday, June 18, 2010

Fourth annual National Pollinator Week June 21-27, 2010

Thousands of plant species depend on bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators for their survival. In fact, it is estimated that about 90% of all flowering plants and over three-quarters of the staple crop plants that feed humankind rely on animal pollination (as opposed to wind pollination) and over 200,000 species of animals participate in the pollinating. Without pollinators, many plants would never produce fruit or set seed and many of the foods we eat would no longer be available. Many wild creatures that rely on pollinated plants for food and shelter could also disappear.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has named June 21 - 27th as National Pollinator Week to help educate people about the importance of pollinators.

There are events schedule around the country to help spread this message. Here are just a few:

Take guided Butterfly, Wildflower, and Family Nature Hikes. Children will also be able to do pollinator activities with Virginia Master Naturalists. See a demonstration of the Banshee Reeks Bee Survey and find out how we are contributing to an international project in cooperation with the United States Geological Survey. Learn about Pollinator Gardens, Virginia Native Plants, and attracting Butterflies and Hummingbirds to your backyard. Find out about the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s Annual Butterfly Count. See Loudoun Beekeepers Association information about Apiaries and Local Honey. For more information call 703-669-0316. For National Pollinator Week information visit www.pollinator.org.

Open to the public, Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, Agency Personnel, and the press. As a special pollinator treat, pollinator supportive companies Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream and Burt’s Bees will provide ice cream and lip balm for attendees. Both Burt’s Bees and Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream are committed to the health of the honey bees that are instrumental in their products and in the well-being of plants, people and animals.